Zohran Mamdani Stands by His Belief That Donald Trump Is a ‘Fascist’ and ‘Despot’ After Friendly Oval Office Meeting

Zohran Mamdani says his view of President Donald Trump remains the same, even after a face-to-face meeting at the White House.

The 34-year-old New York City mayor-elect met with Trump, 79, in the Oval Office on Friday, Nov. 21. Mamdani has previously called Trump a “fascist” and a “despot,” yet described their sit-down as “productive.”

At a press conference following the meeting, Trump—who has criticized Mamdani in the past and has suggested federal funding to New York City could be curtailed—told the mayor-elect he didn’t need to walk back those remarks. The exchange came after Mamdani was asked whether he still stood by his earlier characterization of the president.

“It’s easier,” Trump said, “than explaining it.”

Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Nov. 23, Mamdani reflected on that moment and reiterated that his stance hasn’t changed.

“That’s something I’ve said in the past and I say today,” he said. Mamdani added that he valued the meeting because neither side avoided clear disagreements, while still focusing on shared concerns—especially the pressure of rising costs on New Yorkers.

“Everything that I’ve said in the past, I continue to believe,” he said, stressing that political opponents can disagree sharply and still work together when necessary. “We don’t shy away from where we have disagreements, but we understand what it is that brings us to that table. … I’m not coming into the Oval Office to make a point or make a stand. I’m coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers.”

Mamdani also spoke about conversations he had during his campaign with voters who supported Trump. He said many of them pointed to the cost of living as their main concern, and he brought those comments into his discussion with the president.

“I shared with the president that when I asked those New Yorkers why did they vote for the president, they told me again and again: cost of living,” Mamdani said. “And when the president and I were speaking, we were speaking about what is preventing [us] from delivering on that affordability agenda.”

He explained that he entered the Oval Office focused on representing “the needs of the 8.5 million people” who call New York City home and on building a working relationship that could help address those needs.

After winning the mayoral race on Nov. 4, Mamdani became the city’s first Muslim mayor-elect. In his victory speech, he took direct aim at Trump, saying New York could show the country how to defeat him.

Trump, a Queens native, later responded warmly after their White House meeting, saying he was surprised by how much they agreed on. He even suggested he’d consider living in the city again under Mamdani’s leadership.

“Yeah, I would,” Trump said. “Especially after the meeting. We agree on a lot more than I would have thought.”